Australia: Mother's Mercy stretches out in return to Muswellbrook

Countryside tracks in Australia have been much kinder to Mother’s Mercy than the tougher venues in Sydney.

Mother’s Mercy reeled off three consecutive wins at the start of her career in 2019 and 2020 at Scone Racecourse, a tiny venue well north of Sydney. Last month, Mother’s Mercy started in more prestigious races at tracks in Sydney, without success, on the Kensington course at Royal Randwick and at Rosehill Gardens.

On Monday, Mother’s Mercy is back at a smaller venue, Muswellbrook Racecourse, north of Sydney, for a start in a handicap at about 1 1/8 miles.

Mother’s Mercy has been favored in all five of her starts and is expected to have that role at Muswellbrook against 12 rivals.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

Trained by Paul Messara, who is based at Scone, Mother’s Mercy will start in the longest race of her career at Muswellbrook. A 4-year-old mare, Mother’s Mercy tends to run from off the pace and won in that fashion in a seven-furlong handicap at Scone on Dec. 11.

At Rosehill Gardens on Jan. 16, Mother’s Mercy finished fourth in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs, closing from eighth in a field of 12 to miss by 2 1/2 lengths at 3-1.

Jockey Jeff Penza rides Mother’s Mercy for the first time at Muswellbrook. Mother’s Mercy drew the rail, which is not ideal, but should not necessarily hamper her style considering she races from off the pace.

Penza rode a winner at Newcastle on Saturday, his fifth win in 50 mounts since Dec. 11.

The 5-year-old mare Lochita and 4-year-old gelding The Borough have promising form.

Lochita, a winner of 3 of 10 starts, is winless in her last three appearances. Trained by Jason Deamer, Lochita was fifth in a one-mile handicap at Taree Racecourse on Jan. 29 as the 3-2 favorite, missing by 3 1/2 lengths.

Lochita has won twice at a mile in her career.

The Borough won consecutive starts at a mile last June – the only victories in his 18-race career – and has been third in three subsequent starts.

The Muswellbrook program begins at 10:05 p.m. Eastern, or 7:05 p.m. Pacific, on Sunday, which is conveniently moments after the end of the Super Bowl.

Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.